USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume II > Part 25
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ice of one man for seven years. Hearing rumors of the greater opportunities for advancement in business lines in the United States, however, in 1878, he came to lowa, locating in Jones county, where he purchased eighty acres of land which form the nucleus of his present possessions. He later purchased other property until today he owns a well developed and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and fifteen acres located on sections 3 and 4, Cass township, the place being known as the Hickory Grove Farm. The soil is naturally rich and fertile and responds readily to the care and attention bestowed upon it. In his business he has combined his sturdy Scotch characteristics with the spirit of American progress, and so as the years have come and gone he has met with a very substantial success which ranks him among the representative agriculturists of his section of the county. He has placed many modern improvements upon the farm, including an attractive twelve-room house. which was built eleven years ago, and a substantial barn, forty by seventy-two feet, erected in 1909, and the place is lacking in none of those things which go to make up a model farm. In connection with his general farming interests he engages to some extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of breeding shorthorned cattle and Clydesdale horses. Both branches of his business are proving remunerative and he now enjoys a substantial annual income.
It was on the 15th of March. 1878, that Mr. Watt was united in marriage to Ellen S. Horn, who was born in Green Bank, Ontario, on the 24th of August, 1857, a daughter of Alexander and Ann (Dobson) Horn, natives of Scotland and Canada respectively. Unto this union have been born four children, namely : Agnes Ann, the wife of Ernest Condit, of North Dakota; Andrew, at home; Mabel, the wife of A. J. Lake, residing in Amber, Jones county ; and Ella May, a student of Highland Park College, of Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Watt is a faithful and consistent member of the Cass Congregational church, and he gives stalwart support to the principles of the republican party. He has never sought nor desired party preferment, however, the only office which he has filled being that of school director. His record has been characterized by steady progress resulting from the wise and intelligent utilization of every opportunity that has come to him. He is numbered among those who left their native country to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and who are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption.
V. E. SOBOTKA.
Among those of foreign birth who have become prominent in the business circles of Jones county is numbered V. E. Sobotka, who conducts a clothing establishment in Oxford Junction. He was born in Bohemia, March 28, 1872. a son of John and Josephine Sobotka, who, likewise natives of that country, emi- grated to the new world in 1889 and located in Jones county. To them were born seven children, of whom five still survive. The parents are now living in Oxford Junction.
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V. E. Sobotka was a youth of seventeen years when he accompanied his parents to America. Upon their arrival in Jones country the son obtained work as a farm hand, being thus engaged for seven years. He then rented land for six years and subsequently engaged in the clothing business with his brother- in-law, Charles W. Vlach. After a time he purchased the interest of his partner and is now alone in business. He studies the needs and demands of his patrons and keeps on hand a full line of clothing, having one of the finest establishments of its kind in this section of Jones county, while his business methods are such as commend him to the good will and patronage of the public.
Mr. Sobotka was married October 4, 1899, to Miss Emma Vlach, who was born in Oxford Junction, a daughter of Emanuel and Mary Vlach, in whose family were three children. The father was born in Bohemia but the mother was born in Jackson county, Iowa, and both have departed this life. Mrs. Sobotka acquired her education in Oxford, completing the high school course. Later she engaged in teaching for three years prior to her marriage.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sobotka has been blessed with two daughters and a son, Loretta. Louise and Raymond. Mr. Sobotka is a democrat in his political views and is now serving his second term as councilman, and he is also a school director. He is a member of the Western Bohemia Brotherhood. Coming here a poor boy, unknown, and without even a knowledge of the English language, he has risen to a substantial place among the business men of Oxford Junction. His path was a hard one but by strict economy, perseverance and determination, it has led him to success.
RICHARD McQUILLEN.
Among the countless numbers who have answered the call of opportunity to the shores of the new world were the parents of Richard McQuillen. John McQuillen, his father, and Margaret Lang, his mother, grew to young manhood and womanhood among the green vales of Erin. When they came to America, both young people settled in Albany, New York, where they were soon united in marriage. The father was an engineer on the New York Central Railway, his route lying between Albany and Schenectady, New York. That was in the early '40s and the New York Central at that time could boast of only three engines. The one upon which John McQuillen plied the throttle lever was named the John Bull, but even this constant reminder of other days was unable to dampen the enthusiasm of the young Irishman for the country to which he had come.
Richard McQuillen was born in Albany, New York, May 1, 1843, and in 1846 the family came west to Jones county, Iowa, arriving here on the 4th of July. Iowa was still a territory at that time and the father bought a claim in Richland township, his son John residing on this land at the present day. Sadly enough the head of the family lived but two months after acquiring his home- stead, his death occurring on the 23d of August, 1846. In his family were five sons: Bernard, deceased; George, deceased; John, who lives on the old
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homestead in Richland township; Richard, the subject of the sketch; and Thomas, who is now located in Dubuque county, where he holds the position of county supervisor. The mother of these boys kept the family together and reared its members to manhood. This brave and dauntless woman lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years, her death occurring in September. 1889.
Richard McQuillen enjoyed the experience so interesting to the younger gen- eration, used as it is to a more advanced civilization, of growing up in an old pioneer log cabin with its open fireplace and puncheon floor. He also acquired his education in a log cabin schoolhouse. In his tenth year he attended the Farm Creek district school, but in 1857 a log schoolhouse was erected in the district in which he was living. The McQuillen boys assumed many of the burdens and responsibilities which would naturally have fallen upon their father's shoulders and cooperated in the cultivation of the farm. They kept together until 1870, when George settled in Washington township, and in 1880 Thomas re- moved to Dubuque county, leaving Richard and John to their cooperative farm- ing for another decade. In 1890 they divided the property and Richard took possession of a farm of his own, which consisted of three hundred and eighty acres, two hundred and sixty of which he had purchased two years previously. He also owns some three hundred acres in Washington township. He makes å specialty of pasturing and raising cattle and has extensive interests in that line.
Mr. McQuillen was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Winters, of Du- buque, March 31. 1891, and three sons have been born to them: John R., who is a student at St. Joseph's College in Dubuque ; Charles T. and Francis J., who are at home.
Mr. McQuillen is a stanch member of the democratic party and for twelve years was actively identified with it as township trustee. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. He is recognized as one of the sound and influential men of his community.
CHARLES B. WAGGONER.
Charles B. Waggoner, who is residing on his well developed farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Jackson township, is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Jones county, as well as one of its best citizens. He was born in Hardin county, Ohio, September 15. 1838, a son of Anthony and Ruth (King) Waggoner, natives of France and New York state, respectively. An- thony Waggoner became a resident of New York state in boyhood and there learned the trade of a carpenter. After his marriage he emigrated to Ohio in search of better opportunities. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife when his son Charles B., their only child, was but two weeks old. Later, he married again and had three sons and three daughters, by that union. Los- ing his second wife, he married a third time, and his daughter by this union, Abiah, married Charles Waggoner, of Cedar Rapids, who although bearing the same name, is not a relative of the family as far as is known. After his second
CHARLES B. WAGGONER
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marriage, Anthony Waggoner moved to Iowa in 1854 and located on a farm in Jones county. His death occurred about 1899, when he was between seventy- five and eighty years of age.
Charles B. Waggoner was brought to Iowa by his father and step-mother and was reared to manhood in Jones county, having lived in Jackson township ever since coming to the state. His well developed farm of one hundred and sixty acres shows that his understanding of farming is complete, and the fine buildings on his property, all of which were put up by him, demonstrate that he is a carpenter as well as a farmer.
In 1863, Mr. Waggoner married Mary May, who was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, March 8, 1846, but was brought to Jones county, Iowa, in 1855 by her parents. She is a daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Erbach) May, natives of Germany, where they were married, later emigrating to the United States. They both died after coming to Jones county, Iowa. There were six sons and five daughters in their family. Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner have four children, as follows: Jacob, who lives four miles south of Anamosa; Frank, who lives in Jackson township; Walter, who lives in Anamosa; and Ruth, who is at home.
Mr. Waggoner is a republican, but, as his time has been so taken up with his agricultural duties, he has never aspired to public honors, prefering to lend his influence and exert himself for the good of the community simply as a priv- ate citizen. He and his family occupy an enviable position among their neigh- bors for they are well liked and held in gratifying esteem.
FRED PULESTON, M. D.
Among few of the professions of life are a broad outlook, a liberal edu- cation and wide experience so necessary to real success than in that of medi -. cine and these attributes are possessed in their fullness by Dr. Fred Puleston, who about eight years ago commenced practice in Monticello. During this period he has won a patronage that compares favorably with that enjoyed by older men, while his success in treating the diseases of the ear, nose and throat, and affections of the skin and the nerves has spread beyond the confines of the city. He was born in Manchester, England, November 22, 1866, his parents being William and Jane (Thompson) Puleston, also natives of Manchester, where the father was well known as an extensive shipping merchant, and they spent their entire lives in their birthplace.
Fred Puleston was reared at home, acquiring his education in Owens Col- lege, now known as Victoria University. At the age of nineteen, he went to Africa on a hunting expedition, but his stay on that continent was prolonged until it covered a period of twelve years. During that time he became well ac- quainted with Stanley, the immortal explorer, and his party, accompanying them upon many of their trips into the interior and for four years he served as British consul to the dark land. Many were the exciting experiences he encountered in those years, for the country had not then become as well known
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as it is at present, and when he returned to England he brought with him many trophies of his skill in the chase and relics of the native tribes he had visited. It was in 1887 that he went to his home and after a stay of one month there he came to the United States on a visit, as he thought, but to remain perman- ently, as it has proved. A sister whom he had not seen for nineteen years was living in Anamosa, Iowa, and when she heard that he had come to America she begged him to visit her, and then prevailed upon him to remain here.
About nine months after his arrival, Dr. Puleston took up the study of medicine and in the fall of 1897 entered the medical department of the Iowa State Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. During his period as a student. he had shown unusual adaptation for the pro- fession so that he was made demonstrater of pathology and assistant demon-, strater of anatomy, while to increase his efficiency as a practitioner he took a special course in bacteriology, so that he is now able to perform his own work in that department of his profession, a thing which few physicians are able to do. Immediately after his graduation Dr. Puleston opened an office in Mon- ticello, making it one of the most complete in the county, for he intended building up a large practice. The years have proved that his ambitions have not failed of realization. His record at the college and the fact that he was made interne in the hospital during the last year of his work there, gave people confidence in his ability from the start, while his personality, his thoroughness, his ready sympathy and his skill in handling the cases brought to him. have won their increased regard. He makes a specialty of treating the ear. nose and throat, and of skin and nervous diseases, but he is also engaged in the general practice of medicine.
In 1895. Dr. Puleston returned to England from the African jungle to marry Miss Sarah Mosely Davis, of Manchester, England, who accompanied him when he went back to his work on the dark continent and then to America. Since he has become a resident of this state. Dr. Puleston has allied himself with the Iowa Legion of Honor and with the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, while he keeps abreast with the advances made in his profession through his member- ship in the Jones County Medical Society and in the Iowa State Medical Society. Highly cultured, of broad interests and of wide experience, not only is he able to assist all those who entrust their physical well being to his care, but socially he is a great addition to the town.
WILLIAM J. STANTON.
Agricultural pursuits have characterized the efforts of William J. Stanton. a successful and enterprising farmer of Washington township. Jones county. whose birth occurred on the 31st of July. 1865. in Washington township. this county. He is the youngest son in a family of nine children born unto William and Mary Stanton, and he never saw his father. who died on the 24th of De- cember, 1864. His entire life has been passed upon the old homestead in Jones county. He acquired his education in the district schools nearby and when
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not busily engaged with his text-books assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He learned the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting, and by close obser- vation gained thorough knowledge concerning the value of industry, diligence and perseverance, so that when the old home farm came into his possession he was well equipped to assume the practical and responsible duties that devolved upon him in that connection. The place consists of two hundred acres, all highly cultivated, upon which he has made many improvements, and it testifies in its well kept and attractive appearance to the industry and thrift of its owner. Everything about it indicates that he has kept in close touch with the modern spirit of progress and his well directed efforts and close application to business have gained for him a place among the substantial and prosperous farmers of the community.
On the 23d of October, 1895, Mr. Stanton was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Mahoney, a daughter of Michael and Catherine Mahoney, the former deceased and the latter now residing with our subject. By this marriage were born four children, namely : Mary Ann, born on the IIth of January, 1897; Joseph M., born on the 19th of October, 1899, his death occurring on the 15th of March, 1909 : Mildred, born May II, 1901 ; and Orland, born August 17, 1905.
Mr. Stanton holds membership in the Catholic church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence in his life, while politically he is a democrat and gives stalwart support to that party at the polls. He is not an aspirant for office, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs, which, capably conducted, are proving a source of most gratifying prosperity.
Mrs. Stanton, the mother of our subject, recalls the time when, in 1859, a murder occurred in the vicinity of the old homestead and although not a witness of the crime. she saw the murderer soon afterward hiding in some hazel brush near the house and heard his confession. She advised him to give himself up to the authorities and take the consequence of his act. He followed her advice and was later acquitted by the jury.
MICHAEL FOUST.
Michael Foust, who is well known as one of the earlier settlers of Jones county. for he has resided in Scotch Grove township for fifty-nine years, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1842. His parents, Michael and Maria (Hipple) Foust, started upon their journey to the west in 1843, stopping for a time at Dunleath, Illinois, across the river from Dubuque. There the father died and later the family moved into Jackson county, Iowa. During the period of their residence there Mrs. Foust married Donald Livingston and in 1850 came with her family to Jones county. They located upon the farm in Scotch Grove township which Michael Foust owns today. It remained the home of his mother and stepfather throughout the remainder of their days.
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Michael Foust was about eight years of age when his parents came to Scotch Grove township, so that it may be said that here he has passed all the years of his active life. He was reared at home and during his youth attended the com- mon schools of his locality. He was early initiated into the work of the farm and through practical experience in its cultivation, gained an acquaintance with its peculiarities long before he purchased it from his stepfather. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres whose soil is well adapted for general farming which Mr. Foust has followed. While he has kept fully abreast of the times in his methods of tilling the soil, he has been more or less conservative, for his thorough knowledge of the character of his land, his wisdom, acquired through actual experience, in regard to farming in general, has made him slow to re- linquish those habits which have brought him a large measure of success in the course of years. His fields, orderly and well cared for, are representative of the best agricultural property of his township, while the condition of his fences and buildings tells its own story of the good management which has played no small part in placing Mr. Foust among the substantial men of his locality. His industry has been the means of his success and his thrift has conserved where toil could do no more.
In his young manhood Mr. Foust wedded Miss Mary Baley, of Scotch Grove township, a daughter of John Baley, who came to Jones county from New York state. Five children have been born to the couple: Hattie, who is the wife of Spencer Giles, the principal of the Springville schools; Ella, who is un- married and lives at home; John, of Springville, Iowa; Margaret, who is the wife of Harry Withem, of Madison township, this county; and Mary Ann, who is deceased. Mrs. Foust has also passed away, her death having occurred March 9, 1883.
Since he has been of an age to exercise the franchise right of an American citizen, Mr. Foust has allied himself with the republican party, but has taken little part in the public life of his township, for he has considered that the example of his life, the lesson of its unremitting toil and its integrity of pur- pose were influence enough wielded in a community which regarded him as one of its honored members.
ANDREAS D. JANSEN.
When Andreas D. Jansen arrived in this country not only was he without money to start him on the road to success, but he was even in debt for expense of his passage. He is now one of the substantial farmers of Madison township, whose broad fields are the result of his own industrious efforts. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein. Germany, October 19, 1862, and is a son of Hans and Marie (Dickson) Jansen, both natives of the same province of the fatherland. The father died in the land of his birth, but in 1885 Andreas Jansen returned to his old home and brought his mother to this country, where she died in May. 1892, at the age of seventy-six years.
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Until he was sixteen years of age, Andreas D. Jansen remained under the care of his parents, obtaining a fair education in the public schools. At that early age he decided to leave his home and come to the new world, where it was said larger opportunities awaited the boy who knew how to grasp them. Ac- cordingly in 1878 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He made his way almost immediately after landing to Bryant, Clinton county, Iowa, where he secured work as a farm hand, and then, two years later, in 1880, came to Jones county, where he worked by the month for a period of eight years. In 1888 he married and began life as an agriculturist. For seventeen years he rented land, and then having practiced strict economy, in 1905 he was able to purchase the Wasson farm in Madison township. It is a tract of one hundred and eighty acres, lying about a mile west of Onslow, and has been his home for the past four years. The soil naturally rich and arable, through careful cultivation has been made to produce most abundantly, so that Mr. Jansen has reaped harvests which have brought him renown as a tiller of the soil as well as an income which places him among the more prosperous men of his town- ship. Industry has been largely accountable for this progress but not more so than has the good management which he ever showed in conserving his resources.
In 1888 Mr. Jansen wedded Miss Anna Von Spreecken, of Wyoming town- ship, this county, but a native of Germany. Five children have been born of this union : Mary D., John C., Martha C., William T. and Frieda M. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are rearing their family in that faith.
Politically Mr. Jansen inclines more to the democratic party than to any other, but he is liberal in his views, usually voting at local elections for men and measures as his judgment dictates, for being a man of progressive ideas he is anxious to see in office the best man who has the best interests of the com- munity at heart. The home in which Mr. Jansen lives is one of the handsome country houses of Jones county and is but another indication of the success which he has won for himself, and which entitles him to be called a self-made man, an appellation that is highly esteemed by all citizens of this country, whether they be her native sons or those coming from foreign lands, who have sought to share in her bounty.
ARTHUR L. FAIRBANKS, JR.
Arthur L. Fairbanks, Jr., a successful farmer and prominent stockman of Castle Grove township, was born in Cass township, January 15, 1860, and is a son of A. L. Fairbanks, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared upon the home place, where he worked with his father until 1882, when he was married. About the 15th of January, 1883, he located on the farm where he now resides, and which has since been the scene of his labors. It consists of two hundred and ten acres on section 35, Castle Grove township, is well cultivated and improved with buildings of a high grade which
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evince his progressive ideas in regard to his vocation. This farm, however, is but one of several tracts which Mr. Fairbanks owns, for he has one hundred acres on section 36, the same township, besides two farms, one of six hundred and forty acres-a whole section-in Adams county, North Dakota. The lat- ter he purchased in 1906 from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and re- gards as a good investment. In Castle Grove township he makes a specialty of the raising of Aberdeen Angus cattle, having a herd of ninety registered animals, headed by Ruby Buster. These have been exhibited in the Wapsi Fair and in the fair at Monticello, where they were the recipients of many honors, for Mr. Fairbanks has never spared any effort to improve his breed and secure the best quality of cattle. He is a man whose industry is a prime factor in his success and is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of his township.
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